MP Materials invests $200 million in rare earth mine along Interstate 15

With mining operations in San Bernardino County, the Co-Chairman of America’s only producer of vital rare earth minerals said his company is profitable despite Chinese tariffs and is preparing to ramp up processing at its local plant next year. In a video interview on Yahoo Finance, Jim Litinsky, MP Materials Co-Chairman, said his company has invested about $200 million into the mining operation along Interstate 15 in Mountain Pass. Currently, the mined ore concentrate is shipped to China for processing and then shipped back to the United States. Despite 25 percent Chinese tariffs, Litinsky said the company is profitable and has the potential to be the low cost producer in the world.

“Even with that tariff, we’ve sort of gotten things so efficient – we have an incredible team out there, 200 Americans working – even with the tariff, we are profitable,” he said. He added, “We have an incredible working relationship with the State of California. They’ve been an incredible partner. So has San Bernardino County. They’ve all been wonderful partners.”

Rare earth elements are used in a wide variety of advanced technologies including electric vehicles, drones, turbines, robots, cell phones and a range of military applications. 

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Pet safety for Fourth of July begins now

The Fourth of July holiday is nearly here, but the fireworks have already begun in neighborhoods throughout San Bernardino County. Animal Care and Control (ACC) advises pet owners to begin preparing now to help keep their pets safer. Fireworks can frighten pets, causing them to flee from their homes, but there are some basic steps that pet owners can take to help avoid it.

“It can be a scary time for our companion animals,” said Dr. Robin Day of the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley.

Keep pets indoors.
A scared animal can jump higher and run faster than when they are just playing. Check their surroundings for any potential escape routes, like holes under fences and eliminate them. Make sure furry friends have a collar with identification tags and a microchip with up-to-date contact information.

Create a calm environment.
Play soft music or provide toys and reassurance to pets so they feel comfortable. Talk to a veterinarian if pets needs additional help.

“There are natural calming substances like Adaptal, a canine pheromone that you can spray on their bed to provide a calming effect,” said Dr. Day. “Antianxiety medication is also available from your veterinarian and should be started 2-3 days before July 4, when fireworks will be going off.”

Place dangerous items out of reach.
Keep alcohol away from pets and provide them with fresh, clean water. Place fireworks, matches and citronella out of their reach too as they contain harmful chemicals that they should not ingest.

Start looking for lost pets right away.
Pets brought into rescues or shelters will have their pictures taken and uploaded into PetHarbor.com. Post a picture of four-legged friends on social media sites like Facebook and NextDoor. Go to the nearest animal shelter to report missing animals. The Devore Animal Shelter will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and will reopen Friday, July 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Animal Care and Control is doing its part to help the community achieve the Countywide Vision by ensuring residents have the resources they need to provide the necessities of life to their families. Information on the Countywide Vision can be found at http://cms.sbcounty.gov/cao-vision/Home.aspx.

Economic outlook: No recession in sight

Despite the United States economy being on the edge of its longest expansion in history and a plethora of negative outlooks on the economy, a new forecast by Beacon Economics says there is no reason to anticipate a downturn until at least beyond 2020. While the new outlook warns of a slowdown in the nation’s economy, something that is already occurring, it argues that nothing on near-term horizon has the capacity to cause a contraction.

“We simply do not see the kinds of imbalances or rapid shifts that would be forceful enough or deep enough to push the economy into recession,” said Christopher Thornberg, Founding Partner of Beacon Economics and one of the forecast authors. “It’s certainly not going to happen in 2019, and highly unlikely to occur next year.”

Board approves balanced County budget

The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a balanced $6.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The budget fully funds increased costs to maintain current public service levels, makes a substantial contribution to capital project needs, and allocates funding to many projects and programs that support the Countywide Vision and the board’s goals and objectives. “The Board’s longstanding fiscally prudent approach, coupled with continued growth in property and sales tax revenues, has placed the County in a position to take care of immediate needs and strategically invest in the future,” County Chief Executive Officer Gary McBride wrote to the Board. Funding includes allocations to:

• Enhance public safety, such as the Sheriff Department’s Hope and START programs
• Improve decision-making capabilities through the use of technology
• Address workload issues, particularly staffing for the District Attorney and Public Defender.
• The budget includes $406.9 million in reserves, $1 billion toward law and justice.

CHP offers free 'Start Smart' driving class for teens and their parents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the leading cause of death for Americans 15 to 20 years old is motor vehicle collisions. The California Highway Patrol’s Start Smart program is aimed at helping newly licensed and future teenage drivers understand the critical responsibilities of driving and understand that while accidents do happen, collisions are 100 percent preventable. To register your teenager for this free 2 hour class at the Victorville CHP office, call the CHP at (760) 241-1186. 

Meet the staff: Laura Villa

Laura Villa serves as a Community Liaison for Supervisor Lovingood, regularly meeting with local businesses, nonprofits and faith-based groups to better understand their needs. She provides constituent assistance to the community of Adelanto, and serves as a liaison and support for the High Desert’s Hispanic community. In 2014, Laura received Congressman Paul Cook’s “Woman of Distinction” award for her outstanding leadership, integrity and work throughout the High Desert. “My passion is to serve others,” says Ms. Villa, who recently completed her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Her hobbies include reading, exercising, dancing and listening to music. She has lived in the First District for 12 years.

Donate your old cell phone for those in need

“Secure the Call” is a nonprofit charity that provides free 911 emergency-only cell phone to Domestic Violence Centers, Senior Citizen Centers, Police and Sheriff departments. The donated used phones are in turn given back to the community and used to contact the Police in the case of an emergency. Used cell phones may be dropped off at the Victorville Sheriff’s Station, 14200 Amargosa Road, Victorville. To donate a phone via mail or to sponsor a four-week phone collection drive, visit https://securethecall.org/.

VVTA initiates service changes June 30; Route 33 serving Adelanto Senior Center

As part of a semi-annual operational performance review, Victor Valley Transit Authority will initiate service changes to improve operations and service reliability. The service changes will become effective Sunday, June 30, 2019 and add one route to the transit system, bringing the total routes to 37.

Victor Valley Transit Authority Route 33 Adelanto Circulator is now serving the Adelanto Senior Center on Cortez Street. The new bus stop will be served seven days a week.

For more information, visit www.vvta.org.

Adventures close to home

From lakes and rivers to mountains and deserts, San Bernardino County offers a variety of year-round adventures. Here are a few ideas:

• Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch, Helendale -- A peaceful, eerie experience walking among the bottle trees and creative yard art objects.
• Mojave Narrows Regional Park, Victorville – Enjoy fishing, camping and hiking among 1,500 species of watchable wildlife in this lush oasis.
• Randsburg Ghost Town & General Store - A 'living ghost town,' with a rich mining history, antique shops, historic sights, ancient lava flows, petroglyphs.
• Mitchell Caverns - These impressive caverns are home to a diverse habitat full of limestone cave formations and unique wildlife.
• Big Bear Alpine Zoo - A rehabilitation facility offering injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a safe haven.